WD Reviews: Overnight Skincare Treatments

See how 8 different facial products fared in our tests

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While the arrival of spring brings renewal to your surroundings, the varying temperatures and upswing in airborne irritants often have the opposite effect on your complexion. Add hormones and aging to the mix, and you've got a recipe for ailing skin that's in desperate need of a fresh start. But who has the time or money for a facial? With that in mind, we sought out the fastest and simplest skin-renewing products out there. From loose powders to serums, discover which overnight products will give your beauty sleep a boost.

Score: 5 of 5What WD had to say: Unscented and simple to use, this product, which is applied like a mask and washed off in the morning, got raves from our tester. "I give this a 5 and I don't do that lightly. It really was a great product," she said. "My skin felt healthier and younger and clearer and less irritated… I had adult onset acne in my late 20s and ever since I have been combating acne and clogged pores around my face. This is the first product that has given me that youthful, clear glow I had in my teens and early 20s. It's such a relief to finally find something that actually works!" $45; Dermalogica.com

Score: 4.5 of 5What WD had to say: The hefty price tag was the only downside to this product, which our tester found to be easy to use and extremely effective. With its "light, silky texture" and "subtle perfume scent," the cream made her skin feel "supple" and "noticeably softer and moisturized" without any greasy residue. The best part: "The product didn't cause any unwelcome breakouts like thicker night creams sometimes can." $125; GiorgioArmaniBeauty-USA.com

The Claim: "A gentle, oil-free liquid peel that helps to resurface the skin and reveal a healthy glow."

Score: 4 of 5What WD had to say: Right from the box (which included full instructions, unlike some other products on the market) our tester enjoyed this product, which helped reduce blotchiness. Despite a slight burning sensation when the product was applied, and a small lag time between application and absorption, our tester said her face "felt fresh and moisturized, and had that healthy-skin glow." She added: "Usually in the morning my face looks washed-out and dry, but with this product I felt my face looked refreshed when I first woke up." $34; H2OPlus.com

Score: 4 of 5What WD had to say: Our tester was impressed by this oil-like serum, which smelled nice and made her skin "very soft with a nice glow to it." Her biggest stumbling block was the lack of direction on the package, which led to an uneven application that caused "one area of my face to break out a little." However, after reading detailed directions and user comments on the Kiehl's website, she found the product to be easy to use and would recommend it, despite its price tag. "I would say it's worth the investment since you only use two drops at a time—especially if you have very dry or damaged skin, or just want to perk up your skin every once in a while." $43; Kiehls.com

The Claim: "…dramatically reduces the signs of aging with REM, the Repair Enhancing Matrix, which improves collagen production potential by up to 62% while encouraging relaxation to soften the appearance of facial expression lines. Scientifically proven ingredient stimulates collagen building cells by 78%."

Score: 4 of 5What WD had to say: A "thin, nice texture" and "pleasant lavender scent" had our tester intrigued from the start, and within one application, she noticed that her skin felt "more taut, toned and smooth." The only catch: a sizable blemish and increased blackheads cropped up after several uses. "That disappointed me, since I initially liked this product so much. And I know my skin can be sensitive, especially to rich moisturizing products, so I was careful to only use a small amount," she said. Even so, our tester recommended this serum—particularly for people who could benefit from intense hydration or those with sagging skin. $97; Murad.com

Score: 3.5 of 5What WD had to say: This moisturizing loose powder made our tester's skin feel "super-soft and silky," and she noticed the difference "immediately after applying." Ultimately, however, she didn't see noticeable results, which detracted from the product's score—in addition to its scent being "chalky" and the application process messy. "I had to hold it over the bathroom sink each night so the excess powder didn't go everywhere." $60; BareEscentuals.com

Score: 3.5 of 5What WD had to say: Overall, our tester liked this foaming face wash, which she said "made my face feel like I had exfoliated, leaving it nice and smooth." Her biggest gripe, however, was the scent, described as "a bit like lilacs" with "an underlying medicinal scent which was slightly unpleasant." However, our tester noted that the scent wasn't too overpowering, and it seemed to dissipate shortly after rinsing. Although she didn't see noticeable results, our tester thought the wash might be worthwhile to use once or twice a week. $7.89; Clearasil.com

The Claim: "An ultra-gentle resurfacing and retexturing concentrate to smooth the cutaneous micro-relief and replump the skin. Upon awakening, the skin quality is transformed, visibly smoother and more radiant, as after a good night sleep."

Score: 3 of 5What WD had to say: Our reviewer enjoyed the "nice, perfumy smell" and simplicity of this product, but ultimately wasn't wowed. "The directions said: 'Apply before bed. May also be used during the day.' That second line sort of took away the magic of the overnight product." After using it nearly every night and morning for a week—in addition to her regular skincare routine—her face felt the same as usual. "Maybe I should have skipped my lotion and stuck with this product. But dry skin was a risk I just wasn't willing to take." $75; YSLBeautyUS.com